TRIBUTE FROM ARM-HARITH

TARIYE GBADEGESIN, MANAGING DIRECTOR / CEO, ARM-HARITH

“I met Ernest for the first time 14 years ago when we briefly overlapped on an investment while he was at Harith. It was a pleasure to reconnect at ARM-Harith as colleagues when I joined the business. Ernest was a methodological practitioner, an investment professional and ultimately a stable trusted hand. What truly differentiated him was that he was kind. He was honest and he was fair. I learned from him how to disagree with dignity. Indeed, Ernest lived a life of patient dignity, as a professional who stayed the course with his projects until the proponents became family. He was a man of the church and a family man who loved his wife Florence and his kids dearly. Ernest’s passing is a painful shock for us; we will miss him. May he find his eternal resting place, smiling as he always did. May God comfort Florence, Ernest Jr. and Sharon, and anchor them in the knowledge that Ernest’s legacy lives on through them.”

JOBALO OSHIKANLU, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ARM-HARITH

“I knew of Ernest before I met him for the first time in 2014 during which period he had been considering joining our team from Harith General Partners, and during which period, I quickly learned what a seasoned professional he was. Methodical and painstaking, his a ention to detail is a valuable and endangered quality in our infrastructure finance trade. Ernest’s sudden departure has marked for me an extraordinary life experience in that he had been sharing with me and my family, only 20 days earlier, his “heartfelt condolences” on my mother who passed on the day. I pray that the good Lord comforts his entire family le behind and fill the void created by the loss.”

“Ernest was kind and supportive as a colleague. His passion for the work always came through in our engagements. We are really sad to lose you so soon, Ernest, but we take some comfort in the fact that you lived a full life and le behind a rich legacy. Rest in peace.”

“My thoughts, heartfelt sympathies, and condolences to the family during this difficult time. May God forgive him all his sins and grant him Paradise. Sending well wishes and prayers to the family.”

Ernest (“The Nyark”) was a true friend, a great colleague at work, and a real gentleman. It was a privilege to have known and worked with him closely for several years, during which time we spent many hours together discussing everything from work, to politics, life, family, and faith, to name a few. Ernest was indeed a man of faith who carried himself with quiet dignity and confidence, was humble in his demeanour, and genuinely kind at heart. He was a family man, too, and always talked about his family with fondness and pride - his dear wife Florence, his son, Ernest Jnr, and his daughter, Sharon. I can only but imagine how much of a deep sense of loss they must feel at this time, and I pray that Almighty God will grant them the fortitude to bear this loss. My family and I offer them our condolences, and we exhort them to know in faith that Ernest is now resting eternally in perfect peace, in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Adieu Ernest, my dear brother.”

CHRIS CHIJIUTOMI, FORMER INVESTMENT DIRECTOR, ARM-HARITH, HEAD OF AFRICA, BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT

“This still feels like bad dream...I stopped work and went straight home on hearing the sad news. My friend, I still remember our most recent conversation about work, about collaboration, about the infrastructure challenge across Africa, about your lovely children and how proud you were of their achievements. You have le us too soon, only God Almighty knows why. You are a gentleman, a great colleague full of wit, charm and caring. May your soul rest in perfect peace and may the Lord grant your family the strength to deal with this great loss...till we meet again my friend.” weekend prior, you had advised me on navigating issues bordering on my career and personal life. The have become your last words to me which I’ll continue to hold onto. Despite this saddening incident, I have chosen to mourn as a believer, I believe that’s what you would have wanted; because your life epitomized Christian virtues. As such, I have consoled myself with the phrase ‘In total submission to the will of God’. Rest well in the bosom of the Lord Sir, your legacy lives on.”

TOBI EDUN, ALUMNUS, ARM-HARITH

“Although ours was primarily a professional relationship, kindness and compassion defined your interactions with me ahead of your patent knowledge and professionalism, Ernest. I am grateful to have worked for you and witnessed this example of the power of grace under pressure.”

Signed:

“The news of your passing came as a rude shock to me. We had spoken the

Tariye Gbadegesin, Managing Director/CEO For: The ARM-Harith Team

Tribute From Harith

BY LESIBA MORALLANE

Ernest achieved many noteworthy accomplishments in life. He was a hard worker who consistently adhered to the path of honesty. The trail that Ernest blazed is truly worthy of emulation. It’s deeply painful that he had to leave us so early. My family and I had been looking forward to spending more fulfilling and quality time with him. It is with immense sorrow and pain that we bid him farewell today.

I first met Ernest in 2007 when he joined Harith from SSNIT, a PAIDF 1 LP. He was based in South Africa for several years before returning to his home country, Ghana, to manage Harith’s regional office in Accra. During his time with Harith, Ernest, through his skills, experience, and networks, contributed significantly to the company’s development and success. He later chose to join ARMHIF, Harith’s sister company based in Lagos, Nigeria, where he served as an Investment Director at the time of his untimely death.

In the more than 16 years that I had the privilege of knowing Ernest, he remained unwaveringly true and loyal to his family, especially to his adored wife, Florence, and his dearly loved children, Ernest Jr and Sharon. He had a unique ability to balance work and family life seamlessly.

As the saying goes, friends are the family we choose. Being chosen by Ernest was one of the greatest moments of my life, and his passing marked the worst moment not only for me but for my entire family.

I pray to God to grant comfort, strength, and hope to Florence, Ernest Jr, Sharon, and indeed, the entire Nyarko family as they mourn the loss of their loved one. May the family find solace in the knowledge that God is with them and that He promises never to abandon them - Ma hew 28:20.

Lesiba Morallane, Ernest’s Friend and Former Colleague, Harith